Cost of Living in La Crosse, WI
Updated November 2026 · La Crosse County · La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area · population 51,356
Prices in La Crosse are 8.3% below the US average (local index 91.7; the BEA index for the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is 91.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 67.8; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,332 a month and the median rent is $1,010.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects La Crosse's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, unchanged.
La Crosse price index by category, US average = 100: All items 91.7, Housing (rents) 67.8, Goods 93.8, Utilities 89.5, Other services 99.4
It is the 11th most expensive of the 13 Wisconsin cities in our data. Cheaper than 87% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.1 | 89.5 | 94.0 | 90.7 | 90.6 | 91.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for La Crosse, WI
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $742 | $8,904 | 32% |
| Utilities | $228 | $2,736 | 10% |
| Food at home | $265 | $3,180 | 11% |
| Transportation | $587 | $7,044 | 25% |
| Health care | $350 | $4,200 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $160 | $1,920 | 7% |
| Total | $2,332 | $27,984 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for La Crosse, WI
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $976 | $11,712 | 25% |
| Utilities | $363 | $4,356 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,161 | $13,932 | 29% |
| Health care | $648 | $7,776 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $314 | $3,768 | 8% |
| Total | $3,950 | $47,400 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for La Crosse, WI
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,107 | $13,284 | 23% |
| Utilities | $441 | $5,292 | 9% |
| Food at home | $697 | $8,364 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,546 | $18,552 | 32% |
| Health care | $604 | $7,248 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $404 | $4,848 | 8% |
| Total | $4,799 | $57,588 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in La Crosse
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $669 |
| 1 bedroom | $845 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,111 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,260 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,825 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,010 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $887 |
| Median home value | $210,100 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,469/mo |
| Median household income | $55,866 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 28.9% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.8× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Wisconsin
19.41¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.3% (from 18.44¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 665 kWh a month in Wisconsin ≈ $125/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Wisconsin is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in La Crosse are 8.3% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $65,500 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 91.7. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | 64 mi | 92.5 | $2,609 | $1,399 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 70 mi | 92.7 | $2,319 | $1,045 |
| Marshfield, WI | 78 mi | 90.0 | $2,188 | $842 |
| Dubuque, IA | 95 mi | 87.3 | $2,148 | $948 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend, IN | 91.7 | $2,269 | $1,033 |
| Abilene, TX | 91.6 | $2,315 | $1,157 |
| Pocatello, ID | 91.7 | $2,170 | $948 |
| Springfield, IL | 91.8 | $2,207 | $975 |
| College Station, TX | 91.8 | $2,493 | $1,194 |
| Bryan, TX | 91.8 | $2,423 | $1,195 |
Compare La Crosse with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is La Crosse, WI an expensive place to live?
La Crosse has a local cost of living index of 91.7, which is 8.3% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area (91.8) and adjusts housing to La Crosse's own rents. It is 2.4 points below the Wisconsin average. It is the 11th most expensive of the 13 Wisconsin cities in our data. Cheaper than 87% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in La Crosse?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,332 for a single adult, $3,950 for a couple and $4,799 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $55,000 in La Crosse.
What is the average rent in La Crosse?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,010 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $845, 2 bedrooms $1,111, 3 bedrooms $1,260. The typical renter spends 28.9% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in La Crosse?
The median owner-estimated home value is $210,100, 3.8 times the median household income of $55,866 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,469 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in La Crosse?
Wisconsin residential electricity averaged 19.41¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 91.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 5540775 (La Crosse city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Wisconsin residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources